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TOP STORY
Analysts cast doubt on likelihood of rapid progress in UK-EU market linking talks
Political announcements on the possibility of negotiations between the UK and Europe over linking their carbon markets have triggered significant price volatility in UKAs in the last two weeks, but analysts have cast doubt over the likelihood of meaningful talks leading to an agreement in the near term.
EMEA
EU’s 2040 climate target still due by end of March, followed by NDC in Q2
The European Commission denied reports that its 2040 target proposal could be delayed into the second quarter, rectifying statements from its vice-president Teresa Ribera who suggested in an interview that the initiative would be postponed.
Estonian parliament backs PM’s call to halt EU ETS2 launch
The Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) has joined the country’s prime minister in calling for the repeal or postponement of the launch of the EU ETS2 for buildings and road transport, citing cost concerns.
ETS2 price hinges on how quickly five EU countries curb emissions, researchers say
Future prices under the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS2) targeting heating and road transport fuels will largely depend on how quickly five European countries can decarbonise, with road transport playing a key role, a think tank has found.
Euro Markets: EUAs slide as early boost gives way to profit-taking, while UKAs briefly hit nine-month high
European carbon prices ended Friday with a 0.5% weekly gain, after having opened sharply higher as energy prices also jumped on reports of an attack on infrastructure at the Sudzha gas transmission facility in western Russia, before falling back amid steady selling for much of the day, while UKAs briefly touched a nine-month high after yet another update that the UK government was considering linking to the EU ETS.
Major EU political groups commit to maintaining CBAM integrity
Three of the largest political groups in the European Parliament have pledged to uphold the integrity of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by limiting legislative changes to the scope proposed by the European Commission last month.
BRIEFING: Romania eyes lion’s share of EU CO2 storage target
Bucharest has an obligation to provide 10.3 million tonnes of annual CO2 storage capacity under the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), representing about 20% of the EU’s objective by 2030, according to figures circulated in Brussels by the country’s national regulator.
Aramco launches first DAC pilot unit in Saudi Arabia
Saudi oil major Aramco has launched Saudi Arabia’s first CO2 direct air capture (DAC) test unit, with a capacity to remove 12 tonnes of CO2 per year, it has announced.
Ghana’s Article 6 pipeline teeming with projects, expects ITMO transfer by H2
Ghana has received 70 projects for review in pursuit of eventual authorisation or endorsement, including 45 applications for Article 6 projects with sovereign nations, according to a report published Friday by the country’s Carbon Markets Office (CMO).
Rwanda launches reforestation drive with focus on carbon offsetting, seed systems
Rwanda on Friday launched a national initiative aimed at planting 30 million trees this year, part of efforts to boost climate resilience and create new income opportunities for farmers through an expanding carbon offset market.
AMERICAS
Inaugural AFF carbon credit auction ends with no bids
The American Forest Foundation’s (AFF) inaugural carbon credit auction concluded without any bids, the organisation said.
Full IRA repeal would drive up US household, industrial energy prices -report
A full repeal of clean energy tax credits by Congress combined with a reversal of regulations governing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would increase energy prices for both households across the US and manufacturers, according to a new analysis.
Slight drop to available allowances at Q2 WCI auction
The California-Quebec joint WCI auction in May will offer a lower volume of allowances in the second quarterly sale of 2025 than it did in the first, according to a Friday notice from California regulator ARB.
California transportation fuel emissions nudge down in 2024, despite December diesel rise
Transporation fuel emissions in California nudged down just over 1% year-on-year (YoY) in 2024, even as diesel consumption increased in December, state data published Friday showed.
California invests $100 mln into multi-year emissions data monitoring
California invested $100 mln of cap-and-trade revenues to identify and track methane emissions data, project proponents announced Friday.
CFTC: Investors add record V26 CCA length, producers reduce RGGI exposure
Investors built their V26 California Carbon Allowance (CCA) net length while cutting more V25s, and producers pulled back their RGGI Allowance (RGA) exposure, according to latest weekly data released Friday by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
US CDR industry faces uncertain future amid political and economic challenges -expert
The US CO2 removal (CDR) industry is facing challenges as political support decreases, investors grow cautious, and federal funding becomes uncertain, according to a recent article by an ex-DOE employee.
INTERVIEW: Canada’s ‘first’ CDR dashboard critical to scaling development
It’s time for Canada’s carbon removal (CDR) industry to take its turn in the limelight, according to the policy director of one of the country’s leading policy advocacy groups.
Brazilian ministries, development bank launch $26 mln call for reforestation proposals
Brazil’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) and Ministry of Development and Family Farming (MDA), as well as its national development bank (BNDES), on Friday launched three public calls for proposals to restore a critical deforestation area.
INTERVIEW: Brazilian forests need mainstream finance, not just carbon markets
Brazil must engage non-carbon market instruments and more traditional finance flows to conserve and restore its forests, the chair of a Brazilian private social investment foundation has said.
ASIA PACIFIC
BRIEFING: Industry groups eye pilot for common ASEAN carbon market by late 2025
The signatories of the ASEAN Common Carbon Framework (ACCF) met this week to discuss the modalities of a common carbon market for the region, expecting to launch a pilot by Q4 2025.
BRIEFING: Too early to predict credit issuance impact on Cambodian REDD+ projects from dam developments, operator says
Proposed hydropower dams will likely cut a small swathe through several active and proposed REDD+ projects in Cambodia, but its operator says it is too early to say how the work will impact carbon credit issuance.
NZ Market: NZU price hits 6-mth low as buyers step away
The New Zealand Unit (NZU) spot price fell by 2.5% on Friday in the wake of this week’s declined auction, as the government updated free allocation settings to one of its biggest emitters.
CN Markets: CEAs dip marginally as CCERs get all the attention
Permit prices in China’s national emissions market fell slightly this week with the closing price remaining below the 90-yuan mark for the third consecutive week, while the CCER market saw continued interest amid fresh supply.
Japan to build digital MRV system for J-Credits from solar-based offset generation
Four Japanese companies have been selected to help advance a digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system for the country’s carbon offset programme.
Thai firms to reforest mangroves for blue carbon credits
Subsidiaries of two publicly-listed Thai companies have partnered to develop a mangrove reforestation project aimed at generating blue carbon credits, the companies announced this week.
Exxon confirms CCS cancellation due to decommissioning requirements
ExxonMobil on Monday confirmed it has cancelled its South East Australia Carbon Capture and Storage (SEA CCS) project offshore Victoria and said the oil platform planned as infrastructure will need to be decommissioned instead.
Marine company sees clean energy orders rise, but LNG still a fundamental
Marine engineering company Seatrium, formed from the bones of a dissolved Keppel and Sembcorp, is bullish on renewables, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and ammonia while seeing a central place for hydrocarbons in the energy transition.
VOLUNTARY
ICVCM took “significant step” towards quality in cookstoves decision, say academics behind critical paper
The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) took a strong step towards cleaning up the cookstoves sector, according to the experts behind a critical research paper that claimed a large share of projects had been heavily over-credited in the past.
LDC expands carbon project portfolio in decarbonisation push
Commodity merchant Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) has broadened its carbon project portfolio as part of a growing push to decarbonise its operations and supply chains, according to its 2024 Integrated Report.
Rising temperatures could boost carbon capture by peatland microbes -study
An increase in global temperatures could stimulate microbial photosynthesis in peatlands, boosting the wetland ecosystems’ CO2 sequestration ability by up to 14%, a new study has found.
Most new carbon storage on land not in living plants, study says
Most of the carbon absorbed by land over the past three decades has ended up in non-living reservoirs rather than in growing trees and plants, according to a study that challenges previous models of Earth’s carbon cycle.
BIODIVERSITY (FREE TO READ)
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Major European retail banks fail to account for plastic pollution risks in their financial policies, think tank warns
European retail banks largely overlook plastic pollution in their lending decisions, which is poised to expose them to increasing financial risks, according to a London-based think tank.
Australia commits fundings to Nature Repair Market projects
The Australian government has announced funding in the upcoming budget will underpin projects in its Nature Repair Market (NRM).
Australia’s environment sees slight improvement, but major threats to biodiversity persist, report finds
The status of Australia’s environment slightly improved last year, though habitat destruction, invasive species, and the ongoing climate crisis continue to threaten native ecosystems, according to an annual report released this week.
Brazilian bank issues R$1.4-bln bond linked to biodiversity, social initiatives
A large Brazilian bank announced on Thursday it has raised R$1.4 billion ($250 million) with a bond aimed at funding biodiversity conservation and social programmes across the country.
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NEW REPORT
How offtake agreements are shaping the future of biochar: Long-term offtake agreements are transforming the biochar carbon removal market — securing supply, stabilizing prices, and providing financial certainty. Supercritical’s latest report, Locked in or Left Behind?, explores key shifts in procurement strategies and what they mean for the future of carbon removal. With 62% of high-quality biochar credits for 2025 already committed and prices rising 18% in 2024, securing an offtake could be the key to guaranteeing supply and price stability.
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EVENTS
North American Carbon World (NACW) – Mar. 25-27, Los Angeles – The annual NACW conference addresses the most pressing issues in climate policy and carbon markets to the largest gathering of climate professionals in North America. NACW 2025 will dive into major new policies and developments that will shape and scale carbon markets and climate solutions with integrity and ambition. In addition to outstanding speakers, discussions, and insights, NACW provides premier networking opportunities with an active and engaged audience of carbon professionals. Join us for the content, community, and connections for successfully navigating the low-carbon landscape and advancing market-based climate solutions. www.nacwconference.com
European Climate Summit – Apr. 1-3, Lisbon – To kick off our Annual Regional Climate Summit Series of this year, we at IETA look forward to welcoming delegates this Spring to our flagship European Climate Summit (ECS) 2025, taking place at the Pavilhao Carlos Lopes. ECS will take place amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, even as carbon markets in the EU and globally continue to mature and expand. A new political cycle for EU climate action has begun, and the task of preparing carbon markets for their next stage presents both new challenges and opportunities. In this dynamic context, competitiveness, integrity, and innovation will be at the heart of our discussion. Be part of the conversation driving the next phase of carbon market evolution. Join us at ECS to engage with policymakers, business leaders, and climate market pioneers who are shaping the future of carbon markets. Organised by IETA, ECS is an in-person event. Register
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BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL
Money for trees – Norway is providing NOK 70 mln ($7 mln) to strengthen Indigenous governance in the Colombian Amazon. The support aims to enhance the ability of Indigenous organisations to govern and protect their territories, which are vital for preserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change. The grant will be managed by the Amazon Conservation Team (ACT) in collaboration with Colombian Indigenous organisations. The funds will be channelled directly to Indigenous authorities for activities such as climate monitoring, territorial management, and community development. This initiative is part of Norway’s broader efforts to support Indigenous peoples as key stewards of tropical forests. It also aligns with Colombia’s commitments to reduce deforestation and strengthen Indigenous rights.
EMEA
Auf Wiedersehen – Germany’s second chamber of parliament, the Bundesrat, has voted in favour of a spending package that loosens borrowing limits, allowing billions of euros of investments in defence, infrastructure, and climate change. The package includes €100 bln for climate action as part of a new €500 bln infrastructure fund, and a historic reform of the country’s debt brake, obtained by the Green Party in exchange for their support to pass the package in the outgoing Parliament. The amendment was backed in the Bundesrat with 53 out of 69 votes in favour, passing the 46-vote threshold, reports DW. Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate abstained, with abstentions counted as opposition votes, reported the national news outlet. This means expenditures on defence, cybersecurity, intelligence, and civil protection exceeding 1% of German GDP can now be financed with new debt. (DW)
GDP growth – Goldman Sachs Research raised its forecast for the euro zone’s real GDP growth this year to 0.8%, up from 0.7%, driven by a new fiscal plan in Germany and higher defense spending on the continent. The fiscal plan from Europe’s largest economy includes a €500 bln off-budget infrastructure and climate protection fund and increased defense spending, estimated to boost economic activity across the region. Some €100 bln of the fund will be earmarked for climate action. Further out, the economists increased their 2026 forecast for the currency area by 0.2 percentage points to 1.3%, and boosted the 2027 numbers by 0.3 percentage points to 1.6%.
CCS – Porthos, the EU’s flagship CO2 transport infrastructure project in the port of Rotterdam, is progressing as planned, according to the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). “CINEA visited the section of the onshore pipeline, which is already mostly completed,” the EU agency reported on Mar. 19. The Porthos project aims to develop an open access, 33 km long, onshore pipeline to transport CO2 across borders between the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Ghent. The captured CO2 will then be sent through a 20km offshore pipeline that will transport the compressed CO2 to depleted gas fields for storage in the Dutch section of the North Sea. “The designated site for the compressor station at Azieweg is also taking shape, with supporting infrastructure such as electrical buildings already in place, while the actual compressors will arrive later towards the end of the construction phase,” CINEA said. The offshore pipeline is still in its early stages, it added, but preparatory activities have already started. The project is expected to be fully operational and start operation “by 2026”, CINEA said.
England’s Western Forest – The UK government has announced plans to plant 20 mln trees and create 2,500 hectares of new woodland in the west of England as part of a ‘national forest’ drive. The new ‘Western Forest’ will consist of new and existing woodlands across Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset, the Cotswolds, and the Mendips as well as in urban areas such as Bristol, Swindon, and Gloucester. It will be the first of three new national forests pledged by the government to help meet a legally-binding target of achieving 16.5% woodland cover in England by 2050. England’s woodland cover currently stands at 10%. Across the UK, the aim is for 30,000 ha of woodland to be planted every year, with latest annual figures showing about 21,000 ha were planted, with the vast majority in Scotland and just 5,500 ha in England. The Western Forest, funded by £7.5 mln of public money, will particularly target urban areas like Bristol, Swindon, and Gloucester. (BBC)
CBAM for textiles? – An anti-fast-fashion bill is expected to be discussed by the French Senate in the week of May 19th, following its postponement at the start of the year, which prompted widespread discontent with environmental organisations. Article 6 of the bill states that within six months of the law’s promulgation, the government shall submit to Parliament a report examining the opportunity of extending the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to textile products manufactured outside the EU’s territory. Doing so would subject textiles imported into the EU to a carbon emission tariff equivalent to that applied to European makers of the same items. The bill would aim to penalise fast-fashion products on the basis of their environmental impact as well as their commercial practices. The bill is suggesting that penalties be placed on fast-fashion products, and that part of the monies collected will be used to finance collection and recycling in non-EU countries.
What farmers want – In a recent policy brief, the OptFor-EU research project examines challenges and opportunities through expert surveys and stakeholder workshops in alignment with the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the European Green Deal. It lists financial constraints, information gaps, competing social priorities, fragmented governance, and differing perspectives based on gender and experience as the main threats in achieving forest-based carbon removal. However, the policy brief suggests there are opportunities to enhance forest resilience through improved data sharing, policy coordination, and innovative tools such as decision support systems and digital monitoring technologies. Moving forward, it recommends stakeholders to reinforce strategic priorities, adopt climate-smart forestry practices, and strengthen financial sustainability to support long-term climate resilience. (Euractiv)
Teaming up – The Russian Ministry of Economic Development, supported by the ASEAN Secretariat, held expert consultations on carbon markets with representatives from Russia and Southeast Asian countries this week, reported website TV BRICS. The summit emphasised carbon markets’ role in emissions reduction and energy transition and featured a session on Russian carbon markets, where representatives from the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Russian registry showcased the country’s climate projects. Experts from Myanmar, Malaysia, and Indonesia also shared regulatory developments and future plans for carbon markets, as per the reporting. The consultations were aimed at strengthening Russia–ASEAN collaboration, to foster joint climate initiatives and promote carbon trading across the region.
Brain drain gain – A group of 12 European countries is planning to attract researchers from the US in response to US government cuts to education and research funding. In a letter to EU Innovation Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, the governments called for an “attractivity boom” to bring in talent affected by funding reductions and research interference. The letter, signed by France, Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Slovenia, Germany, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania, urges the European Commission to take action to draw more researchers to the EU. (E&E News)
ASIA PACIFIC
To-do list – Government agencies in the Philippines are developing the Climate Finance Strategy (CFS) to help finance climate priorities, support active membership in the global multilateral funds, and scale up sustainable finance efforts through the Inter-Agency Task Force on Sustainable Finance (ITSF), according to the Philippine News Agency. The task force is also prioritising the crafting of a policy and legal framework for carbon markets and the potential for financing green projects. The country’s finance department is also coordinating with the World Bank for its support for a technical working group on carbon pricing instruments.
The governor speaks – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recommended has advocated for creating a pool of bankable projects to increase the flow of climate finance. The Governor Sanjay Malhotra recently said that Indian banks and non-bank finance companies (NBFCs) have limited capacity and expertise which further limits their ability to assess and finance climate change mitigation projects well while increasing the risks associated with funding these projects. Having a pool or collection of financially viable and investment-ready projects can offer multiple benefits, said the governor, suggesting that experienced financial institutions that operate under RBI supervision can contribute to this pool of projects and exchange information, Mongabay reported.
Backwater credits – The Kochi Water Metro in the Indian state of Kerela, is eyeing a substantial additional revenue by monetising the carbon credits it earned through its contribution towards the reduction of GHG emissions, the New Indian Express reported. To facilitate this, the Kerala Water Metro (KWML) has floated a tender for the validation, registration, verification, issuance, and trading of carbon credits. Currently, the entity has deployed 18 ferries on five routes and the first phase of project proposes to connect 38 terminals on 15 identified routes spread across 78 km by operating a fleet of 78 fast, electrically-propelled hybrid ferries. The target is to achieve a reduction of 22,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions by the end of the first phase and the entity has already achieved nearly 20% of the target, KWML said. While the KMRL had entered into a pact with EKI Energy, India’s biggest developer, it has not yet materialised, the media outlet added.
Peak carbon – China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has added a batch of 27 regions to its pilot of cities and areas tasked with hitting peak carbon emissions early. The additions are primarily large industrial parks, including in Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, and Tianjin, as well as in provinces such as Jiangsu, Jilin, and Zhejiang. Regional DRCs are now asked to help draw up plans for reaching the goals.
Guide – China’s Guangdong province has issued a notice to provide more clarity for emitters to surrender their emissions permits under the local scheme by July 20, following an allocation plan published earlier this month. Companies are allowed to use offsets issued under the national CCER scheme and Guangdong’s regional voluntary programmes for compliance purposes, with an upper limit of 10%. Priority should be given to credits generated from projects within the Guangdong region, according to the notice.
Jet lagging – Japan’s oil refiners want concrete regulations that are needed to push airlines to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and support supply chain development, the head of the industry lobby said last week. Japan targets 1.7 mln kl of SAF by 2030 to replace 10% of jet fuel with cleaner alternatives by 2030. While refiners face mandates, no binding rules exist for airlines. Petroleum Association of Japan President Shunichi Kito said both suppliers and consumers need regulations, urging cost-sharing and government support for SAF supply chains.
New market – Japanese sustainability solution provider Asuene has formed a business partnership with two Taiwanese companies, Shin Chang Trading and InSynerger, for its expansion in the neighbouring country, it announced Friday. The three companies will support clients in their decarbonisation and ESG efforts as environmental regulations in Taiwan are expected to be strengthened in the coming years.
Domestic expansion – Project developer Bywill has secured a new partnership with Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank and Gifu prefecture’s Kobe town to promote the creation of domestically issued J-Credits. Bywill has formed more than 100 similar partnerships with financial institutions and local governments across Japan over the past two years, company data showed.
AMERICAS
Trump ‘hit list’ – The US DOE appears to be creating a “hit list” of clean energy projects awarded billions of dollars in government funding, according to sources who spoke to Politico. Journalists wrote Trump officials have requested the list by the end of the week, including projects under the IRA. Any programme or project that has spent less than 45% of its appropriated of awarded funding is required to be reviewed. Carbon Pulse reached out to the DOE for comment but did not receive a response.
Not on EDF’s watch – US environmental non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) filed a lawsuit on Friday challenging the US EPA’s extension of the reporting deadline for the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule. The EPA filed the extension on Thursday, shifting the deadline for reporting year 2024 from Mar. 31 to May 30. The measure did not take any public comment. EDF alleged that the delay was unlawful and filed a petition for review in the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. The lawsuit is one of several that EDF has filed against the EPA under the Trump administration.
Big oil battle – A District of Columbia judge heard arguments on Thursday on whether Chevron and other major energy companies should be held financially responsible for climate change impacts. DC Superior Court Judge Yvonne Williams considered industry lawyers’ motions to dismiss the case, citing similar lawsuits dismissed in other state courts. Attorneys for oil companies argued that state courts are not the proper venue for such claims. If successful, the lawsuits could cost the fossil fuel industry hundreds of billions of dollars. Williams said she would issue a ruling in four to six weeks.
Rolling along – A proposed clean fuel standard is making its way through Hawaii legislature, according to bill filings published Thursday. SB 1120 was referred to the House Finance Committee after making its way through the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee. The bill text currently proposes a 10% reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2035, and an at least 50% reduction by 2050, both relative to 2019 levels.
ECCC boasts climate gains – The Canadian federal government released its 2025 National Inventory Report Friday, showing that national greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 dropped by 8.5% from 2005 levels, equivalent to nearly 700 MtCO2. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) suggests that this data shows that Canada’s climate and pollution policies are working. “This year’s final National Inventory Report shows that even as Canada’s economy has become stronger, and more sustainable, the emissions intensity of our economic growth has decreased by 34%,” the agency said in a press release Friday. “Canada’s emissions are now the lowest they have been in 27 ears, excluding the pandemic years, and significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels.”
Chemists weigh in – Canada’s Chemistry Industry Association (CIAC) has called for a review of industrial carbon pricing rules in light of ongoing trade and tariff tensions. While CIAC supports carbon pricing as a tool to drive emissions reductions and investment in low-carbon projects, it urged policymakers to reassess the system’s fit for energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries. The statement comes as Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, has suspended the federal consumer carbon tax but pledged to retain and improve industrial carbon pricing.
Canadian energy poverty – A study examining energy spending by Canadian households, and the extent of energy poverty across the country, has found 11% of households were energy poor in 2021 — when in–home energy expenditures, such as electricity and natural gas, and gasoline were included. The study, by right-leaning think tank Fraser Institute, defined energy poverty as spending 10% or more on energy expenditures. Regional disparities in energy poverty appear pronounced. In 2021, Atlantic Canada had the highest incidence of energy poverty at 24.6% of households, while British Columbia had the lowest in the country, at 8.1%.
Passage on pause – The Panama Canal Authority has yet to provide guidance on its Low-Carbon Transit Slot initiative, set to launch on Apr. 1. Initially announced in Aug. 2024 as part of efforts to decarbonise shipping and achieve net zero GHG emissions by 2050, the programme aims to encourage energy efficiency measures and low-carbon technologies. The delay, announced in Nov. 2024, followed an analysis of eligibility criteria, including energy efficiency indicators, fuel types, and regional infrastructure availability.
VOLUNTARY
New biochar system – French biochar developer NetZero has launched a new modular system for large-scale biochar production, which it said will halve land requirements and double output compared to its current technology. The company, a finalist in the XPRIZE Carbon Removal competition, said the patented ‘Gen2’ system was designed to accelerate deployment, lower costs, and improve performance by reducing the need for concrete and steel by 90% and 80% respectively. The first units will be deployed this year in biochar projects using coffee and sugarcane residues in Brazil. NetZero aims to reach 1 mln tonnes of CO2 removal annually by 2030.
Mangrove permanence – Land uplift and related sea level changes could reshape blue carbon ecosystems, affecting their carbon storage potential and restoration strategies, according to a recent study published in ScienceDirect. The research highlights how a 2004 tsunami-driven uplift in Indian island North Andaman degraded large areas of mangroves and led to vegetation shifts that altered carbon dynamics across the region. As sea levels permanently dropped, terrestrial forests replaced mangroves in areas where tidal flooding ceased, while mangroves migrated seaward, colonising former reef beds now exposed by the retreating coastline. Blue carbon projects should factor in long-term geomorphological changes when assessing carbon stocks and ecosystem resilience, as land movement can create new carbon sinks but also disrupt existing ones, the research concluded.
AVIATION
Verification for Dummies – ICAO has provided guidance on verification of CORSIA-eligible fuel claims, providing VVBs bodies with a structured framework for assessing aeroplane operators’ emissions reduction claims related to the use of CORSIA eligible fuels (CEFs). Developed by ICAO’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), the guidance supports the implementation of Annex 16, Volume IV, and ensures consistency and integrity in emissions reporting under the international aviation offsetting programme. Verification follows a six-step approach: confirming sustainability certification through Proofs of Sustainability (PoS) or Compliance (PoC); tracing documentation back to the last certified entity in the fuel supply chain; validating the operator’s monitoring and reporting systems; checking the Emissions Report and supplementary CEF template for accuracy; ensuring no double claiming of emissions reductions; and reporting any post-verification findings to the State. Claims lacking a verifiable PoS/PoC or traceability to certified entities must be excluded. A key focus is on preventing double claiming of emissions reductions, especially for Scope 1 emissions. Operators must declare participation in other GHG reduction schemes and confirm that no claims have been duplicated. Verification bodies must assess both documentation and internal processes to ensure compliance. Risks associated with non-certified fuel traders, fuel resale, or overlapping claims across schemes must be thoroughly evaluated. The guidance also acknowledges challenges such as documentation time lags and evolving reporting systems. It outlines a variety of supporting documents – mandatory and optional – that may be used to substantiate claims.
AND FINALLY…
Melting away – Glaciers across many regions in the world may not survive this century if current melting trends continue, posing a threat to the millions of people living downstream, UN climate experts warned on Thursday. Ahead of the the first World Day for Glaciers, experts said there have been irreversible changes within the past few years, with the period over 2022-24 experiencing the largest-ever three-year loss. For instance, in central Europe, almost 40% of the remaining ice has melted, they said. “If this continues at the current rate, glaciers will not survive this century in the Alps,” Michael Zemp, director of the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) at the University of Zurich, said in a statement.
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